US12459669B2 - Cart for assembling and transporting an aircraft engine to a test cell - Google Patents

Cart for assembling and transporting an aircraft engine to a test cell

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Publication number
US12459669B2
US12459669B2 US18/022,226 US202018022226A US12459669B2 US 12459669 B2 US12459669 B2 US 12459669B2 US 202018022226 A US202018022226 A US 202018022226A US 12459669 B2 US12459669 B2 US 12459669B2
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United States
Prior art keywords
engine
arms
cart
adapter
aircraft engine
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US18/022,226
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English (en)
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US20230322411A1 (en
Inventor
Franck Dumont
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Safran Aero Boosters SA
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Safran Aero Boosters SA
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Assigned to SAFRAN AERO BOOSTERS reassignment SAFRAN AERO BOOSTERS ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Assignors: DUMONT, FRANCK
Publication of US20230322411A1 publication Critical patent/US20230322411A1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B3/00—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor
    • B62B3/001—Steering devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B3/00—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor
    • B62B3/02—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable or convertible
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B3/00—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor
    • B62B3/10—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by supports specially adapted to objects of definite shape
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B5/00—Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
    • B62B5/0026—Propulsion aids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64F—GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT; DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING, CLEANING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING AIRCRAFT, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HANDLING, TRANSPORTING, TESTING OR INSPECTING AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B64F5/00—Designing, manufacturing, assembling, cleaning, maintaining or repairing aircraft, not otherwise provided for; Handling, transporting, testing or inspecting aircraft components, not otherwise provided for
    • B64F5/50—Handling or transporting aircraft components
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C1/00—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles
    • B66C1/10—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means
    • B66C1/62—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means comprising article-engaging members of a shape complementary to that of the articles to be handled
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01D—NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES
    • F01D25/00—Component parts, details, or accessories, not provided for in, or of interest apart from, other groups
    • F01D25/28—Supporting or mounting arrangements, e.g. for turbine casing
    • F01D25/285—Temporary support structures, e.g. for testing, assembling, installing, repairing; Assembly methods using such structures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M1/00—Frames or casings of engines, machines or apparatus; Frames serving as machinery beds
    • F16M1/04—Frames or casings of engines, machines or apparatus; Frames serving as machinery beds for rotary engines or similar machines
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M15/00—Testing of engines
    • G01M15/02—Details or accessories of testing apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M15/00—Testing of engines
    • G01M15/14—Testing gas-turbine engines or jet-propulsion engines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B2202/00—Indexing codes relating to type or characteristics of transported articles
    • B62B2202/60—Motors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B2206/00—Adjustable or convertible hand-propelled vehicles or sledges
    • B62B2206/003—Adjustable or convertible hand-propelled vehicles or sledges with actuation mechanisms which drive the adjustment or conversion operation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05D—INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
    • F05D2230/00—Manufacture
    • F05D2230/60—Assembly methods
    • F05D2230/68—Assembly methods using auxiliary equipment for lifting or holding
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05D—INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
    • F05D2260/00—Function
    • F05D2260/02—Transport and handling during maintenance and repair
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05D—INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
    • F05D2260/00—Function
    • F05D2260/12—Testing on a test bench

Definitions

  • the invention is directed to the field of aircraft engines, in particular of aircraft engine handling like in production assembly line, for repair, inspection and/or testing in a test cell and of transporting an aircraft engine to and from a test cell.
  • Test cells are commonly used for testing aircraft engines. Specific test cell equipment is generally used, consisting of a bell-mouth, a cowling or test nacelle, a nozzle and plug, a boat-tail and an adapter.
  • the adapter is designed to attach an upper portion of the test nacelle to an upper support in the test cell, so that the aircraft engine and test equipment assembly is properly fastened in the test cell.
  • Assembling the aircraft engine and the test equipment requires manipulating the aircraft engine relative to the test equipment, whereas such manipulations are complex, time-consuming and can cause damages to the aircraft engine and the test equipment if done without sufficient care.
  • the aircraft engine is usually manipulated by means of a crane or a monorail, i.e. suspended means.
  • test equipment sensors, blank-off, starter, harness, fuel pipe . . .
  • final assembly of the engine to its adapter and transport of the resulting package assembly to a test cell.
  • reverse e.g. once the tests are over, i.e. transporting the assembly out of the test cell and disassembling the aircraft engine from the test equipment.
  • Prior art patent document published US 2012/0224944 A1 discloses a cart for handling an aircraft engine during assembly.
  • the cart comprises a base frame that can be lifted and towed, and a side frame with rotating carrying means of the core of an aircraft engine.
  • This rotating carrying means is configured for receiving the core in a vertical orientation and for pivoting said core to a horizontal orientation for assembly with another module of the aircraft engine.
  • That cart is designed for a specific operation in the assembly of an aircraft engine, i.e. is not suitable for assembling a complete aircraft engine with a test equipment.
  • Prior art patent document published FR 3 078 058 A1 discloses a cart for transporting an aircraft engine, in particular equipped with thrust reversal, the cart comprising essentially a base frame optionally equipped with wheels, and two side arms pivotally mounted on the base frame with upper ends for engaging with two upper anchoring points of the aircraft engine, located under the outer casing of the nacelle of said engine.
  • the cart can also comprise a lower transversal support beam arranged on the base frame, with two lateral ends for engaging with two lower anchoring points of the aircraft engine.
  • the purpose and advantage of that cart is to be compact, in particular in width, essentially for facilitating the transport of the aircraft engine. It is not suitable for assembling an aircraft engine to a test equipment and for transporting such an assembly to a test cell.
  • the invention is directed to [1] a cart for transporting an aircraft engine, comprising a base frame equipped with wheels for riding on a floor; at least two engine arms extending horizontally and movable vertically relative to the base frame, structured and designed for supporting the aircraft engine; and at least two adapter arms extending horizontally at a higher level than the at least two engine arms, structured and designed for supporting an adapter coupled at the top of the aircraft engine.
  • the adapter is a test equipment adapter, i.e. to secure the aircraft engine to the test cell thrust stand including the test nacelle or cowling.
  • the at least two engine arms are arranged on two opposed sides of the base frame.
  • the at least two support arms are arranged on two opposed sides of the base frame.
  • the at least two support arms are arranged on the two opposed sides of the base frame where the at least two engine arms are arranged.
  • each of the at least two engine arms and of the at least two adapter arms comprises a free end with a recessed upper profile structured and designed for securely engaging with the aircraft engine and the adapter, respectively.
  • each of the at least two engine arms and adapter arms extends towards a central longitudinal axis of the cart.
  • the cart further comprises at least two posts extending rigidly from the base frame and carrying the at least two engine arms and the at least two adapter arms.
  • the at least two posts comprise at least four of said posts.
  • the at least two posts comprise a guiding and driving assembly for each of the at least two engine arms.
  • the at least two engine arms comprise two front engine arms in vis-à-vis and extending transversally to a central longitudinal axis of the cart; and at least one rear engine arm structured and designed for pivoting horizontally between an active position extending transversally to the central longitudinal axis of the cart and an inactive position extending parallel to said central longitudinal axis.
  • the at least two adapter arms are movable between an active position extending towards a central longitudinal axis of the cart and an inactive position freeing or widening, compared with the active position, a central area of access from above.
  • the wheels are mounted on the base frame such that said base frame can be selectively lifted or lowered relative to said wheels.
  • each of the wheels is steerable.
  • At least one, preferably two of the wheels are driven.
  • the invention is also directed to [15] a method of transporting an aircraft engine to a test cell, comprising the following steps: assembling the aircraft engine to a test nacelle attached to an adapter resting on a support; and transporting the aircraft engine and test nacelle assembly to the test cell; wherein the assembling and transporting steps are carried out using a cart comprising a base frame equipped with wheels for riding on a floor; at least two engine arms; and at least two adapter arms; wherein the assembling step comprises the following sub-steps: positioning and fixing the aircraft engine relative to the test nacelle (or cowling)while said aircraft engine is carried by the at least two engine arms; lifting the at least two adapter arms so as to engage the adapter and carry the aircraft engine and test nacelle assembly.
  • the positioning and fixing sub-step comprises the following actions: carrying a front portion of the aircraft engine with two front engine arms of the at least two engine arms and carrying a rear portion of said aircraft engine with a central post bearing on the base frame, while said rear portion is inserted into the test nacelle showing an opened lower portion; deploying at least one rear engine arm of the at least two engine arms so as to carry the rear portion of the aircraft engine; mating the aircraft engine relative to the test nacelle by moving the engine arms relative to the base frame; and fixing the aircraft engine to the test nacelle.
  • the positioning and fixing sub-step further comprises, between deploying and mating actions: removing the central post.
  • the lifting sub-step comprises lifting the base frame relative to the floor.
  • the assembling step comprises the following additional sub-step, between the positioning and fixing sub-step and the lifting sub-step: releasing the at least two engine arms.
  • the cart is self-driven and steered during the assembling and transporting steps.
  • the operators have also the possibility to manually drive and reposition the cart.
  • the method comprises, prior the assembling step, a step of rigging the aircraft engine on the cart.
  • the invention is particularly interesting in that it provides an efficient and practical means for assembling an aircraft engine with a test nacelle and also for transporting that assembly to a test cell, and vice versa.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cart for transporting an aircraft engine, according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of an approaching phase of a step of assembling an aircraft engine to a test nacelle, using the cart of the invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a side view of an engaging phase of the step of assembling an aircraft engine to a test nacelle, using the cart of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a top view of the engaging phase of the step of assembling an aircraft engine to a test nacelle of FIG. 3 .
  • FIG. 5 is a side view of the end of the engaging phase of the step of assembling an aircraft engine to a test nacelle.
  • FIG. 6 is a rear view of the lifting phase of the step of assembling an aircraft engine to a test nacelle.
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a transporting step to a test cell of the aircraft engine and test nacelle assembly using the cart of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cart for transporting an aircraft engine, according to the invention.
  • the cart 2 comprises a base frame 4 that is advantageously generally planar though showing a certain depth, e.g. at least 200 mm, equipped with wheels 6 that are for instance hidden in the base frame.
  • the wheels 6 are advantageously each steerable and driven in rotation, e.g. by an electric motor.
  • the wheels 6 are advantageously structured and designed for allowing the cart to turn on its self, i.e. with a turning radius close or equal to 0.
  • the cart 2 comprises also posts 8 and 10 extending vertically from the base frame 4 .
  • the posts can comprise two front posts 8 and two rear posts 10 . Each of them is located adjacent an edge of the base frame 4 .
  • the two front posts 8 and the two rear posts 10 are located on either sides of a longitudinal axis 12 of the cart 2 .
  • the cart 2 comprises also engine arms 14 and 16 structured and designed for carrying the aircraft engine 18 .
  • These engine arms 14 and 16 extend horizontally and are movable vertically. They are supported by the posts 8 and 10 .
  • the engine arms comprise for instance two front engine arms 14 carried each by one of the front posts 8 .
  • the right front engine arm 14 is not visible in FIG. 1 .
  • the engine arms comprise also one rear engine arm 16 carried by one of the rear posts 10 , in the present case the right rear post 10 .
  • Each post 8 and 10 supporting an engine arm 14 or 16 comprises a guiding rail and mechanism for vertically moving the engine arm along the rail. That mechanism can be a thread spindle arranged vertically and engaging with a nut fastened to the corresponding engine arm.
  • the two front engine arms 14 are generally straight and extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 12 of the cart 2 whereas the rear engine arm 16 comprises a first portion 16 . 1 directly supported by the rear post 10 and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis 12 , and a second portion 16 . 2 pivotally connected to the first portion 16 . 1 , movable between a position where it is essentially in line with the first portion 16 . 1 and a position where it extends transversally, for instance perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 12 .
  • the front and/or rear engine arms 14 and 16 can comprise, each, a distal portion that is removably attached to a main portion of said arm, so as be modular. Each distal removable portion would then be adapted to a particular aircraft engine model or type with a given geometry. The attachment of the distal removable portion to the main portion of the corresponding engine arm can be by self-locking engagement, making use or not of fasteners.
  • the engine arms 14 and 16 can be engaged with the corresponding front and rear posts 8 and 10 in a removable manner so as to be easily replaced by others adapted to another type of engine.
  • the cart 2 comprises also adapter arms 20 located at higher position than the engine arms 14 and 16 and configured for engaging with an adapter of a test equipment, as this will be detailed below in connection with FIG. 6 .
  • the adapter arms 20 comprise in the present embodiment four adapter arms 20 , i.e. two adapter arms 20 on each side of the longitudinal axis 12 of the cart 2 .
  • the adapter arms 20 are designed for working in unison, i.e. do not need to be movable relative to each other.
  • each pair of adapter arms 20 on each side of the longitudinal axis 12 of the cart 2 , is rigidly fastened to a common longitudinal beam 22 supported by the corresponding front post 8 and rear post 10 .
  • the longitudinal beam 22 is advantageously pivotally mounted on the front post 8 and rear post 10 , about a longitudinal axis. This pivoting movement is for moving the adapter arms 20 from an active position where they extend essentially horizontally to an inactive position where they free or widen, compared with the active position, a central area of access from above, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , and vice versa.
  • the adapter arms remain fixed in the active position, e.g. by means of appropriate arresting and/or abutting means (not visible or not represented) in the pivoting connection between the longitudinal beams 22 and the corresponding front and rear posts 8 and 10 .
  • the wheels 6 are mounted on the base frame 4 such that said base frame can be selectively lifted or lowered relative to said wheels 6 , so as to selectively lift or lower the adapter arms 20 .
  • the base frame can comprise integrated jacks configured for being lowered so as to contact the ground and raise said base frame 4 upwardly, similarly to outriggers and stabilizers on mobile cranes.
  • the adapter arms 20 can be movable vertically, similarly to the engine arms 14 and 16 , in which case the base frame 4 does not need to be vertically movable relative to the wheels 6 or the ground.
  • the adapter arms 20 comprise each a free end 20 . 1 with a recessed upper profile structured and designed for securely engaging with the adapter.
  • the base frame 4 advantageously comprises a generally planar floor 4 . 1 particularly adequate for enabling and facilitating personnel to work on and around the aircraft engine 18 while supported by the engine arms 14 and 16 as illustrated in FIG. 1 .
  • the cart 2 can comprise a control unit of the wheels 6 structured and designed for enabling the cart to move as a self-driven vehicle. It can also comprise guiding means along a track on the floor, e.g. optical and/or magnetic detecting means, laser scanning (but not limited to), for enabling the cart to move in an autonomous way along the track, similarly to carts carrying parts or workpieces in a production factory, from one workstation to a next one in a safe way (personnel and equipment protection).
  • guiding means along a track on the floor e.g. optical and/or magnetic detecting means, laser scanning (but not limited to)
  • the cart 2 illustrated in FIG. 1 will be further detailed in connection with FIGS. 2 to 7 .
  • FIGS. 1 to 7 illustrate also successive phases of a method of transporting an aircraft engine to a test cell, according to the invention.
  • the aircraft engine 18 is placed on the engine arms 14 and 16 by an external means like a crane.
  • the adapter arms 20 are advantageously brought in their inactive position freeing or widening, compared with the active position, a central area of access from above, as illustrated in FIG. 1 .
  • the aircraft engine 18 is carried at its front portion by the two front engine arms 14 and at its rear portion by the (right) rear engine arm 16 . In that position, at arms' height, the engine can be comfortably further assembled and/or prepared for the test.
  • the cart 2 with the aircraft engine 18 is moved towards a test equipment 24 placed on a support 26 .
  • the test equipment 24 comprises for instance an adapter 24 . 1 and a test nacelle 24 . 2 attached at its upper portion to the adapter 24 . 1 .
  • Such a test equipment 24 is as such known from the skilled person and does not need to be specifically further detailed.
  • the rear portion of the aircraft engine 18 is oriented towards the main opening of the test nacelle 24 . 2 in order to penetrate it.
  • a central post 28 is placed below the rear portion of the aircraft engine 18 so as to carry said rear portion.
  • the rear engine arm 16 is disengaged from the engine rear portion and pivoted to the inactive position where it extends completely longitudinally, i.e. where the second portion 16 . 2 is aligned with the first portion 16 . 1 .
  • the cart 2 with the aircraft engine 18 is further moved towards the test equipment 24 , where the rear portion of the aircraft engine 18 starts to penetrate the test nacelle 24 . 2 .
  • the rear engine arm 16 does not interfere with the test nacelle 24 . 2 for it is brought to the inactive position extending between the corresponding front post 8 and rear post 10 .
  • the rear posts 10 are sufficiently laterally distant from each other so as to pass outside of the test nacelle 24 . 2 .
  • the adapter arms 20 are brought in their active position in order to pass below the adapter 24 . 1 when the cast 2 is further moved towards the test equipment 24 .
  • test nacelle is essentially made of two half-shells hinged together at an upper portion adjacent to the adapter 24 . 1 and separated from each other at a lower portion (see FIG. 6 ), enabling the central post 28 to pass freely through that free lower space.
  • the aircraft engine 18 has reached its final position relative to the test nacelle 24 . 2 .
  • the rear engine arm 16 can be brought back to its active position, i.e. by bringing the second portion thereof (not visible in FIG. 5 ) in a transversal position extending towards the rear portion of the aircraft engine 18 so as to engage again with said engine.
  • the rear engine arm 16 once engaged back with the aircraft engine 18 can be slightly lifted so as to release the central post 28 which can then be removed.
  • the aircraft engine 18 is then carried by the two front engine arms 14 and the rear engine arm 16 .
  • Its position relative to the test nacelle 24 . 2 can be finely adjusted by adjusting the height of the engine arms 14 and 16 .
  • the engine arms 14 and 16 can then be lowered so as to be disengaged from the aircraft engine 18 while the latter and the test nacelle 24 . 2 are held in position by the adapter 24 . 1 placed on the support 26 .
  • the test equipment 24 can comprise a bell-mouth 24 . 3 simulating the inlet of the real nacelle of the aircraft. That bell-mouth 24 . 3 can be mounted on the front portion of the aircraft engine 18 once the aircraft engine 18 has reached its final position relative to the test nacelle 24 . 2 .
  • the adapter arms 20 are lifted to as to engage with the adapter 24 . 1 and lift said adapter from the support 26 .
  • that movement can be achieved by lifting the base frame 4 relative to the wheels (not visible) while the adapter arms 20 remain in a fixed position relative to the base frame 4 . Still with reference with the above discussion, this can also be achieved by a relative movement of the adapter arms 20 .
  • the cart 2 can move away from the support 26 either by a reverse movement or a forward movement.
  • the aircraft engine and test nacelle assembly 18 + 24 . 2 is then supported exclusively by the adapter arms 20 via the adapter 24 . 1 .
  • FIG. 7 shows the cart 2 carrying the aircraft engine and test nacelle assembly 18 + 24 . 2 after disengagement of the support 26 as mentioned in relation with FIG. 6 .
  • the cart 2 can then transport the aircraft engine and test nacelle assembly 18 + 24 . 2 to a test cell.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Testing Of Engines (AREA)
US18/022,226 2020-08-19 2020-08-19 Cart for assembling and transporting an aircraft engine to a test cell Active 2041-05-02 US12459669B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2020/046907 WO2022039731A1 (en) 2020-08-19 2020-08-19 Cart for assembling and transporting an aircraft engine to a test cell

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US20230322411A1 US20230322411A1 (en) 2023-10-12
US12459669B2 true US12459669B2 (en) 2025-11-04

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US (1) US12459669B2 (de)
EP (1) EP4200520B1 (de)
CN (1) CN116096637B (de)
CA (1) CA3187849A1 (de)
WO (1) WO2022039731A1 (de)

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CN116952441B (zh) * 2023-07-21 2025-04-25 上海交通大学 一种航空发动机推力实测评估装置及方法
US20260021896A1 (en) * 2024-07-22 2026-01-22 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. Aircraft engine assembly stand and method of using the same

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US20230322411A1 (en) 2023-10-12
EP4200520A1 (de) 2023-06-28
CN116096637A (zh) 2023-05-09

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